Of course, these aren’t normal times. The national economy is the deep freeze, and San Antonio is suffering lost revenue like every other government entity across the nation. The need to save money can’t be disputed right now.

Another factor that kept the budget debate low key may be the ongoing wrangling about whether to participate in the expansion of the South Texas Project nuclear plant. The public consideration of the proposal by CPS Energy staff is hogging a lot of the oxygen in the political arena these days.

Next year’s tougher budget showdown will require much bigger cuts without the cover of the nuclear debate.